I’m lost, but unlike most males, I’m not afraid to ask for directions.
No, I’m not talking about navigating Houston streets. I’m talking about the eccentric/peculiar ABC television show Lost.
Now before you get all excited about me revealing a brilliant theory on why everyone is trapped on the island, what is behind the smoke monster, or who Jacob really is …. I have some bad news.
I don’t have a clue. I confess that I watch the show every week, but I always end up scratching my head thinking, "What just happened?" That’s why I rely on the Internet and social media Web sites.
Lost is the perfect show for today’s world of social media. There are tons of blogs, Internet sites, Facebook groups and other ways for fans to keep up with what’s going on. And is there ever a lot to thrash out.
Consider that on Facebook alone, Lost has 1,802,974 fans that have joined its group and that number grows every day. The nature of the show makes it perfect for people who enjoy conspiracies and story lines that offer multiple explanations that have not been seen on network TV since Twin Peaks.
Think about it. How often do you hear people try to figure out what’s going on with Ted on How I Met Your Mother? (In case you’re wondering, that show has a mere 10,400 fans on Facebook.)
Lost is rich with quirky characters, plot twists and what-the-hell-just-happened moments that keeps fans guessing.
ABC repeats the previous week’s episode with “Pop-Up” notes and other info to help us slower folks keep up.
I have even heard of people who go to work early on (now) Wednesday mornings just to meet up with co-workers and go over theories from last night’s show. That’s simply a different form of social media, albeit an older one.
Lost is in its final season and the producers promise to answer most questions. I’ve heard/read lots of theories.
The best one so far is that Jacob and MIB (Man In Black) are staging some kind of moral contest to determine whether man is inherently good or evil. They introduce participants to their game, which include the Dharma Initiatives, plane crashes and ship wrecks to help them resolve who is right.
If you’ve never seen an episode, forget trying to follow any of this — it won’t make any sense. But if you are a fan, here are some links that will give you some additional insight into what others are saying.
I would love to know what you think. Post a comment below with your thoughts on what’s behind all the unexplained appeal of Lost.
Instant Dharma … A weekly video chat on AOL that breaks down each episode.
The Lost Blog … A local fan site that’s not affiliated with the show, but one that offers good tips and video previews.
Lost…And Gone Forever … A good breakdown of each episode.